{ "id": "2020-08-14-unc-chapel-hill-covid-cluster-alert", "slug": "unc-chapel-hill-covid-cluster-alert-2020-08-14", "institution": { "name": "University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill", "shortName": "UNC", "state": "NC", "type": "public-r1", "alertSystemName": "Alert Carolina", "alertPlatform": "Rave Mobile Safety", "enrollment": 30000 }, "incident": { "date": "2020-08-14", "endDate": "2020-08-17", "type": "covid-19", "cleryCategory": "advisory", "headline": "Emergency notification system used for COVID-19 clusters in residence halls", "headlinePublic": "Emergency notification system used for COVID-19 clusters in residence halls", "summary": "Just four days after [in-person classes resumed](https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/14/clusters-update/), [UNC-Chapel Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_North_Carolina_at_Chapel_Hill) issued an [Alert Carolina notification](https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/14/cases/) at 2:40 PM EDT on August 14, 2020 warning that COVID-19 clusters had emerged in Ehringhaus Community and Granville Towers. By the time the alert went out, more than [100 cases were already concentrated in Granville Towers](https://chapelboro.com/news/unc/report-102-covid-19-cases-among-uncs-granville-towers-residents), and within three days UNC became the first US university to [reverse its reopening](https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/17/shift-to-remote/) and shift undergraduates to remote learning.", "outcome": "UNC issued five separate Alert Carolina COVID cluster notifications between August 14-25, 2020 (Ehringhaus/Granville on 8/14, Sigma Nu fraternity on 8/14, Hinton James on 8/16, Avery on 8/23, Koury on 8/25). On August 17, 2020, Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Robert Blouin announced that all undergraduate instruction would shift to remote on August 19. By August 28, the university had paused the practice of sending Alert Carolina notifications for every cluster, citing the volume.", "resolution": "confirmed-threat" }, "alerts": [ { "sequence": 1, "type": "initial", "timestamp": "2020-08-14T14:40:00-04:00", "timestampApprox": "Friday afternoon, August 14, 2020", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "The University has identified two separate clusters of COVID-19 cases in Ehringhaus Community and Granville Towers. A \"cluster\" is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. \"Location\" is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling. We are notifying the campus of these clusters per guidance under of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which establishes requirements regarding health and safety information that universities must share with their campuses. The individuals in these clusters have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures. All residents in these living spaces have been provided additional information about these clusters and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance. Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119). The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/14/cases/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Official Archive; verbatim notification text quoted by NC Newsline from alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/14/cases/", "annotations": [ "Sent at 2:40 PM EDT on August 14, 2020, exactly four days after in-person classes resumed on August 10", "Marked one of the first documented uses of a Clery-aligned emergency notification system for a disease cluster, a use case not contemplated when Alert Carolina was designed in 2008", "Cited the NCDHHS five-case threshold and the Clery Act by name, framing the notification as a legal compliance disclosure rather than an active-safety warning", "Notable for what it does NOT say: no shelter, no avoidance directive, no instructions for the recipient to take action; purely informational, consistent with a Clery 'advisory' classification" ], "characterCount": 1839 }, { "sequence": 2, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2020-08-15T15:58:19-04:00", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "Students, faculty and staff:\n\nThe University has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases in Sigma Nu fraternity, located at 109 Fraternity Court, Chapel Hill. A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling.\n\nWe are notifying the campus of this cluster per guidance under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which establishes requirements regarding health and safety information that universities must share with their campuses.\n\nThe individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.\n\nAll residents in this living space have been provided additional information about this cluster and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance.\n\nAnyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).\n\nThe University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.\n\nAs part of the Carolina Together Roadmap, the University has been preparing for five months to identify, trace and isolate potential positive cases both on and off campus for our students, faculty and staff. For more information on these preparations and University’s guidelines, visit carolinatogether.unc.edu.\n\nThe University will continue to monitor on-campus behavior and compliance with the University’s Community Standards and guidelines on face masks, physical distancing and gatherings and events.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/15/cases-2", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina", "annotations": [ "Cascade expansion: Aug 15 Sigma Nu fraternity cluster notification was missing between the Aug 14 Ehringhaus/Granville and Aug 16 Hinton James cluster alerts", "Official Alert Carolina / Clery-style cluster notification with full boilerplate matching other residence-hall cluster messages in this case" ], "characterCount": 2382 }, { "sequence": 3, "type": "update", "timestamp": "2020-08-16T16:00:00-04:00", "timestampApprox": "Sunday afternoon, August 16, 2020", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "Students, faculty and staff:\n\nThe University has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases in Hinton James residence Hall. A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling.\n\nWe are notifying the campus of this cluster per guidance under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which establishes requirements regarding health and safety information that universities must share with their campuses.\n\nThe individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.\n\nAll residents in this living space have been provided additional information about this cluster and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance.\n\nAnyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).\n\nThe University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.\n\nAs part of the Carolina Together Roadmap, the University has been preparing for five months to identify, trace and isolate potential positive cases both on and off campus for our students, faculty and staff. For more information on these preparations and University’s guidelines, visit carolinatogether.unc.edu.\n\nThe University will continue to monitor on-campus behavior and compliance with the University’s Community Standards and guidelines on face masks, physical distancing and gatherings and events.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/16/cases-3/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Notification Archive — Clusters of COVID-19 cases in Hinton James (Aug. 16, 2020)", "annotations": [ "Verbatim full email body from official Alert Carolina notification archive.", "Third residence hall named in three days (after Ehringhaus and Granville), making the trajectory unmistakable", "Hinton James houses approximately 950 students in South Campus, one of the largest residence halls in the UNC system", "This notification came less than 24 hours before the university announced its full reversal to remote learning" ], "characterCount": 2344 }, { "sequence": 4, "type": "follow-up", "timestamp": "2020-08-17T11:00:00-04:00", "timestampApprox": "Monday late morning, August 17, 2020", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "Dear Carolina Community,\n\nJust two weeks ago, we began the process of welcoming students back into our residence halls; just one week ago, we held our first day of class. We knew this would be a Carolina fall like no other, and with our residence halls at less than 60% capacity and less than 30% of our total classroom seats taught in-person, we certainly began with a very different feel.\n\nIn just the past week (Aug. 10-16), we have seen COVID-19 positivity rate rise from 2.8% to 13.6% at Campus Health. As of this morning, we have tested 954 students and have 177 in isolation and 349 in quarantine, both on and off campus. So far, we have been fortunate that most students who have tested positive have demonstrated mild symptoms.\n\nGiven the number of positive cases, we are making two important changes to de-densify our campus.\n\nEffective Wednesday, Aug. 19, all undergraduate in-person instruction will shift to remote learning. Courses in our graduate, professional and health affairs schools will continue to be taught as they are, or as directed by the schools. Academic advising and academic support services will be available online. Our research enterprise will remain unchanged.\n\nDue to this announcement as well as the reduction of campus activities, we expect the majority of our current undergraduate residential students to change their residential plans for the fall. We are working to identify additional effective ways to further achieve de-densification of our residential halls and our campus facilities. We will, again, open the opportunity for fall 2020 residence hall cancellation requests with no penalty. Carolina Housing will notify our residents with additional information and changes in the coming days. Residents who have hardships, such as lack of access to reliable internet access), international students or student-athletes will have the option to remain.\n\nSince launching the Roadmap for Fall 2020, we have emphasized that if we were faced with the need to change plans – take an off-ramp – we would not hesitate to do so, but we have not taken this decision lightly. We have made it in consultation with state and local health officials, Carolina’s infectious disease experts, and the UNC System. President Peter Hans told us:\n\n“There are no easy answers as the nation navigates through the pandemic. At this point, we haven’t received any information that would lead to similar modifications at any of our other universities. Whether at Chapel Hill or another institution, students must continue to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing, as their personal responsibility, particularly in off-campus settings, is critical to the success of this semester and to protect public health.”\n\nWe know that these trends aren’t just affecting our campus: they have escalated the concerns of our neighbors, co-workers and friends in and around the Chapel Hill and Carrboro communities. The health and well-being of the good people of our greater Carolina community are just as important to us as that of our students, faculty and staff. We will continue to work closely with our local town/gown partners to create a stronger framework of adherence to our Community Standards among our off-campus students, coupled with education and enforcement of appropriate local ordinances.\n\nWe are asking, again, for everyone in our community to adhere to the Community Standards. For your own personal well-being, as well as the health and safety of everyone around you, it especially important that everyone adhere to state and local orders prohibiting mass gatherings, defined by 25 or more people outdoors and 10 or more people indoors.\n\nWe understand the concern and frustrations these changes will raise with many students and parents. As much as we believe we have worked diligently to help create a healthy and safe campus living and learning environment, we believe the current data presents an untenable situation. As we have always said, the health and safety of our campus community are paramount, and we will continue to modify and adapt our plan when necessary.\n\nKevin M. Guskiewicz\nChancellor\n\nRobert A. Blouin\nExecutive Vice Chancellor, Provost", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/17/shift-to-remote-cm/", "sourceDescription": "UNC-Chapel Hill official campus email — Chancellor Guskiewicz & Provost Blouin Fall 2020 remote shift (Aug 17, 2020)", "annotations": [ "Verbatim recovery from https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/17/shift-to-remote-cm/ on 2026-07-18.", "Sent jointly by Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Robert Blouin within an hour of the updated COVID-19 dashboard going live", "Reversed a reopening plan announced just weeks earlier and made UNC the first major university in the country to send students home after restarting in-person classes", "Came after 135 positive cases (13.6 percent positivity) were confirmed in the week of August 10 testing", "Triggered a cascade of similar reversals at NC State, Notre Dame, and Michigan State within two weeks" ], "characterCount": 4195 }, { "sequence": 5, "type": "update", "channel": "email", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-19", "verbatimText": "Students, faculty and staff:\n\nThe University has identified two separate clusters of COVID-19 cases at the Morrison residence hall and Zeta Psi fraternity house (200 W. Cameron Ave). A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling.\n\nWe are notifying the campus of these clusters per guidance under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which establishes requirements regarding health and safety information that universities must share with their campuses.\n\nThe individuals in these clusters have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.\n\nAll residents in these living spaces will be provided access to additional information about the clusters and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance.\n\nAnyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).\n\nThe University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.\n\nAs part of the Carolina Together Roadmap, the University has been preparing for five months to identify, trace and isolate potential positive cases both on and off campus for our students, faculty and staff. For more information on these preparations and University’s guidelines, visit carolinatogether.unc.edu.\n\nThe University will continue to monitor on-campus behavior and compliance with the University’s Community Standards and guidelines on face masks, physical distancing and gatherings and events.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/19/case/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Emergency Notification (COVID cluster)", "annotations": [ "Exact full text from alertcarolina.unc.edu official notification archive" ], "characterCount": 2421, "timestamp": "2020-08-19T17:25:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 6, "type": "update", "channel": "multi-channel", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-20", "verbatimText": "The University is currently operating under Reduced Campus Services and Operations due to COVID-19", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/20/15979428020001338268979/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Reduced Campus Services status", "annotations": [ "Exact status text from alertcarolina.unc.edu" ], "characterCount": 98, "timestamp": "2020-08-20T13:00:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 7, "type": "update", "channel": "email", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-21", "verbatimText": "Students, faculty and staff:\n\nThe University has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the Carmichael residence hall. A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling.\n\nWe are notifying the campus of this cluster per guidance under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which establishes requirements regarding health and safety information that universities must share with their campuses.\n\nThe individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.\n\nAll residents in this living space will be provided access to additional information about the cluster and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance.\n\nAnyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).\n\nThe University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.\n\nAs part of the Carolina Together Roadmap, the University has been preparing for five months to identify, trace and isolate potential positive cases both on and off campus for our students, faculty and staff. For more information on these preparations and University’s guidelines, visit carolinatogether.unc.edu.\n\nThe University will continue to monitor on-campus behavior and compliance with the University’s Community Standards and guidelines on face masks, physical distancing and gatherings and events.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/21/case-2/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Emergency Notification (COVID cluster)", "annotations": [ "Exact full text from alertcarolina.unc.edu official notification archive" ], "characterCount": 2353, "timestamp": "2020-08-21T17:35:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 8, "type": "update", "channel": "email", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-22", "verbatimText": "Students, faculty and staff:\n\nThe University has identified clusters of COVID-19 cases at Craige residence hall and Alpha Delta Pi sorority house (411 E. Rosemary Street). A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling.\n\nWe are notifying the campus of these clusters per guidance under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which establishes requirements regarding health and safety information that universities must share with their campuses.\n\nThe individuals in these clusters have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.\n\nAll residents in this residence hall and sorority house will be provided access to additional information about the clusters and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance.\n\nAnyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).\n\nThe University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.\n\nAs part of the Carolina Together Roadmap, the University has been preparing for five months to identify, trace and isolate potential positive cases both on and off campus for our students, faculty and staff. For more information on these preparations and University’s guidelines, visit carolinatogether.unc.edu.\n\nThe University will continue to monitor on-campus behavior and compliance with the University’s Community Standards and guidelines on face masks, physical distancing and gatherings and events.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/22/case-3/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Emergency Notification (COVID cluster)", "annotations": [ "Exact full text from alertcarolina.unc.edu official notification archive" ], "characterCount": 2429, "timestamp": "2020-08-22T16:43:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 9, "type": "update", "channel": "email", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-23", "verbatimText": "Students, faculty and staff:\n\nThe University has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Avery residence hall. A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling.\n\nWe are notifying the campus of this cluster per guidance under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which establishes requirements regarding health and safety information that universities must share with their campuses.\n\nThe individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.\n\nAll residents in this residence hall will be provided access to additional information about the cluster and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance.\n\nAnyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).\n\nThe University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.\n\nAs part of the Carolina Together Roadmap, the University has been preparing for five months to identify, trace and isolate potential positive cases both on and off campus for our students, faculty and staff. For more information on these preparations and University’s guidelines, visit carolinatogether.unc.edu.\n\nThe University will continue to monitor on-campus behavior and compliance with the University’s Community Standards and guidelines on face masks, physical distancing and gatherings and events.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/23/case-4/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Emergency Notification (COVID cluster)", "annotations": [ "Exact full text from alertcarolina.unc.edu official notification archive" ], "characterCount": 2346, "timestamp": "2020-08-23T14:05:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 10, "type": "update", "channel": "multi-channel", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-25", "verbatimText": "The University is currently operating under Reduced Campus Services and Operations due to COVID-19", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/25/15983622850001338458207/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Reduced Campus Services status", "annotations": [ "Exact status text from alertcarolina.unc.edu" ], "characterCount": 98, "timestamp": "2020-08-25T09:31:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 11, "type": "update", "channel": "email", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-25", "verbatimText": "Students, faculty and staff:\n\nThe University has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the Koury residence hall. A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling.\n\nWe are notifying the campus of this cluster per guidance under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, which establishes requirements regarding health and safety information that universities must share with their campuses.\n\nThe individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.\n\nAll residents in this living space will be provided access to additional information about the cluster and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance.\n\nAnyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).\n\nThe University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.\n\nAs part of the Carolina Together Roadmap, the University has been preparing for five months to identify, trace and isolate potential positive cases both on and off campus for our students, faculty and staff. For more information on these preparations and University’s guidelines, visit carolinatogether.unc.edu.\n\nThe University will continue to monitor on-campus behavior and compliance with the University’s Community Standards and guidelines on face masks, physical distancing and gatherings and events.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/25/case-5/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Emergency Notification (COVID cluster)", "annotations": [ "Exact full text from alertcarolina.unc.edu official notification archive" ], "characterCount": 2348, "timestamp": "2020-08-25T15:00:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 12, "type": "update", "channel": "multi-channel", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-26", "verbatimText": "The University is currently operating under Reduced Campus Services and Operations due to COVID-19", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/26/15984648000001338529449/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Reduced Campus Services status", "annotations": [ "Exact status text from alertcarolina.unc.edu" ], "characterCount": 98, "timestamp": "2020-08-26T14:00:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 13, "type": "update", "channel": "email", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-27", "verbatimText": "Students, faculty and staff:\n\nThe University has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the Cobb residence hall. A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity in location. “Location” is defined as a single residential hall or dwelling.\n\nThe individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring. We have also notified the Orange County Health Department and are working with them to identify additional potential exposures.\n\nAll residents in this living space will be provided access to additional information about the cluster and next steps. Contact tracing has been initiated with direct communication to anyone determined to have been a close contact with a positive individual. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 15 minutes when either person has not been wearing a face covering. Those identified as a close contact will be notified directly and provided with further guidance.\n\nAnyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider, Campus Health (919-966-2281) or the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (919-966-9119).\n\nThe University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations.\n\nAs part of the Carolina Together Roadmap, the University has been preparing for five months to identify, trace and isolate potential positive cases both on and off campus for our students, faculty and staff. For more information on these preparations and University’s guidelines, visit carolinatogether.unc.edu.\n\nThe University will continue to monitor on-campus behavior and compliance with the University’s Community Standards and guidelines on face masks, physical distancing and gatherings and events.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/27/case-6/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Emergency Notification (COVID cluster)", "annotations": [ "Exact full text from alertcarolina.unc.edu official notification archive" ], "characterCount": 2082, "timestamp": "2020-08-27T17:45:00-04:00" }, { "sequence": 14, "type": "update", "channel": "multi-channel", "timestampApprox": "2020-08-28 (approx midday; exact minute unknown)", "verbatimText": "The University is currently operating under Reduced Campus Services and Operations due to COVID-19", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/28/15986304000001338692434/", "sourceDescription": "Alert Carolina Reduced Campus Services status", "annotations": [ "Exact status text from alertcarolina.unc.edu" ], "characterCount": 98 } ], "context": "On August 10, 2020, the [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_North_Carolina_at_Chapel_Hill) became one of the first major US universities to attempt full in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within four days, the first [COVID-19 cluster notification](https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/14/cases/) went out through Alert Carolina, the emergency notification system the university had built after the 2008 incident that killed UNC student Eve Carson. Two more clusters were announced by August 16. On August 17, [Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Robert Blouin emailed the campus](https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/17/shift-to-remote/) announcing that all undergraduate in-person instruction would shift to remote learning effective Wednesday, August 19. The decision came after the university's COVID-19 dashboard showed [135 positive tests](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/unc-chapel-hill-converts-remote-learning-after-reporting-135-new-n1236977) (a 13.6 percent positivity rate) in the week classes resumed. [Granville Towers alone had 102 cases](https://chapelboro.com/news/unc/report-102-covid-19-cases-among-uncs-granville-towers-residents), or roughly 10 percent of residents. UNC's reversal made national headlines and triggered similar decisions at Notre Dame, Michigan State, and NC State within two weeks. By August 28, the university [paused the practice of issuing Alert Carolina notifications for every cluster](https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/28/update-on-emergency-notifications-related-to-covid-19-clusters/), citing the sheer volume.", "keyFindings": [ "First documented use of Alert Carolina for disease cluster notifications, a use case not contemplated when the system was built in 2008", "The August 14 notification came four days after in-person classes resumed and three days before UNC reversed course on reopening", "UNC became the first major US university to reopen in person and then send students home after the semester started", "The university paused sending cluster notifications by August 28, effectively retiring Alert Carolina from COVID communications after just two weeks", "Granville Towers (a privately-managed apartment complex contracted by UNC) had 102 cases by August 13, roughly 10 percent of residents" ], "responseTimeMinutes": null, "sources": [ { "title": "Alert Carolina Emergency Notification: Clusters of COVID-19 cases in Ehringhaus Community and Granville Towers", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/14/cases/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Update on emergency notifications related to COVID-19 clusters (UNC-Chapel Hill)", "url": "https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/28/update-on-emergency-notifications-related-to-covid-19-clusters/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Carolina to switch to remote instruction, reduce residential density (UNC-Chapel Hill)", "url": "https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/17/shift-to-remote/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "UNC-Chapel Hill goes to remote learning after 135 COVID-19 cases within week of starting classes (NBC News)", "url": "https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/unc-chapel-hill-converts-remote-learning-after-reporting-135-new-n1236977", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "102 COVID-19 Cases Among UNC's Granville Towers Residents (Chapelboro)", "url": "https://chapelboro.com/news/unc/report-102-covid-19-cases-among-uncs-granville-towers-residents", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "UNC-Chapel Hill official campus email — Chancellor Guskiewicz & Provost Blouin Fall 2020 remote shift (Aug 17, 2020)", "url": "https://www.unc.edu/posts/2020/08/17/shift-to-remote-cm/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina: Clusters of COVID-19 cases in Hinton James", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/16/cases-3/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina COVID cluster notification", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/19/case/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina COVID cluster notification", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/21/case-2/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina COVID cluster notification", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/22/case-3/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina COVID cluster notification", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/23/case-4/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina COVID cluster notification", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/25/case-5/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina COVID cluster notification", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/27/case-6/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina reduced operations status", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/20/15979428020001338268979/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina reduced operations status", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/25/15983622850001338458207/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina reduced operations status", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/26/15984648000001338529449/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina reduced operations status", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/28/15986304000001338692434/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Alert Carolina", "url": "https://alertcarolina.unc.edu/notifications/2020/08/15/cases-2", "type": "official-archive" } ], "confidence": "high", "tags": [ "covid-19", "alert-carolina", "residence-hall", "cluster", "granville-towers", "ehringhaus", "hinton-james", "remote-learning", "pandemic", "fall-2020" ], "dateAdded": "2026-05-14", "lastUpdated": "2026-07-19", "addedBy": "ingestion" }